The 3rd Kobe University Brussels European Centre Symposium

Green Innovation & Life Innovation- for sustainable growth and society by Japan-EU collaboration -PRoGRAMMe
Opening 9:30 - 10:00
Netherlands III
MC: Prof. Chiharu Nakamura, Executive Vice-President of Kobe University
9:30

Opening Address by Dr. Hideki Fukuda, President of Kobe University

9:40

Speech by H.E. Mr. Kojiro Shiojiri, Ambassador of Japan to the European Union

9:50

Speech by Mr. Isi Saragossi, Director responsible for International Cooperation of DG RTD,European Commission

Session 1

10:00 - 12:30

Netherlands III

Radiation Dose Reduction Strategy and its Application as Low-dose CT in Future
Session 2

10:00 - 12:30

Netherlands II

Social Aspects of Life Innovation on the European and Japanese Societies
Session 3

14:00 - 18:00

Netherlands III

Innovative Bioproduction for Sustainable Society
Session 4

14:00 - 18:00

Innovation of Health Engineering for Ageing Society

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Netherlands II

- Radiation dose reduction as a common issue in clini-Dr. Hideki Fukuda

President of Kobe University

cal medicine, including advanced technology for diagnosis.
- The ageing society from a social sciences perspective- Bio-production, andDistinguished guests, ladies and- Health engineering for ageing societies

gentlemen, it is a great pleasure
for me to welcome you to the 3rdThis research has been identified as being of common

Symposium of Kobe University

interest to both Japan and the EU. I very much hope thisBrussels European Centre.

symposium will lead to further collaboration between us
and thereby contribute to social development and sus-

Today, we have many distin-tainable prosperity in our respective societies.

guished guests in attendance, andI would like to express my sincere gratitude in particular

I thank you all again for participating in today’s Sympo-

to honorable guests, His Excellency Ambassador Kojiro

sium.

Shiojiri, Mission of Japan to the European Union, andMr. Isi Saragossi, the Director responsible for International Cooperation of Directorate-General for Researchand Innovation in the European Commission. Moreover,
we have in attendance prominent researchers fromH.E. Mr. Kojiro Shiojiri

Ambassador of Japan to the European Union

Belgium, Germany, and Sweden; I am most grateful foreveryone’s participation today.

Dr. Hideki Fukuda, Distinguishedparticipants, Ladies and Gentle-

The themes of this symposium, “Green Innovation andmen,

Life Innovation” are two of the major concepts suggestedby the Japanese government in its New Growth Strategy

It is a great pleasure to be here

as well as by the EU in Horizon 2020. Under the agree-

today for the 3rd Kobe University

ment on science and technology, Japan and the EU

Brussels European Centre Sym-

have been cooperating in the fields of science, technol-

posium. I would like to extend myogy and innovation by promoting research collaboration

appreciation and congratulations to those who have re-in areas of mutual interest and benefit.

alised this event. Today’s themes of sustainable growthand society are high priorities for Japan. I hope each of

Kobe University has been participating in the current

today’s sessions will give new momentum to Japan-EU

Framework Programme, FP7, in the fields of nano-tech-collaboration in these fields.

nology, disaster management and aquaphotomics. By
establishing Kobe University Brussels European Centre,

The history of our societies is the history of overcoming

we are enhancing the strong ties with European institu-

the difficulties we face. Japan has being moving forward

tions in the fields of science and technology, as well as

by overcoming difficulties. Currently we are facing hugesocial sciences and humanities.

challenges. The most essential is how to revitalise oursociety and economy. I believe that this revitalisation

In this respect, we will introduce today the outstandingis the best way to honour those who lost their precious

research projects in the areas of health and environ-lives and loved ones in the 3/11 disaster. The disaster

ment, which are being undertaken at our university andbrought about a new focus, and opened our eyes to newother collaborative universities. In this symposium, wechallenges. Japan is now on a path to find a new para-hope to share the latest research and pursue furtherdigm. In this pursuit Japan will tackle the urgent issues

collaboration with our European partners in order toof responding to climate change, realisation of a low

achieve yet further advancement. The areas we covercarbon economy, the challenges of an aging society andare:

maintaining the workforce. With these in mind, we facea fundamental question, how do we turn our difficulties

3into strengths? In answering this question, Green andmitted to fostering science and technology dialogue be-Life Innovation will play a central role. And moreover,tween the EU and Japan.

joint collaboration will ensure its success.
Kono kaigi e yôkosso! (welcome to this conference)
Cooperation between Japan and the EU needs to reachfor a higher level, to ensure that the common challenges

This is the third such Symposium organised by Kobe

we face are answered by common solutions. Our level

University European Centre. We are very grateful forof ambition must respond to the challenge of realising

this initiative, and for this opportunity to hear (and sharesustainable growth and society. I believe that Japan-

insights and experience with) leading European andEU collaboration can bring about the innovations weJapanese specialists and policy makers.

need to overcome the difficulties we face. As many ofthe sessions here today will discuss, the importanceThis is a very timely meeting.

of innovation in all areas is paramount to developing asustainable economy and enriching our lives. Progress

As you know, exactly one week ago, the Foreign Affairs

is being made on all levels of Japan-EU cooperation.

Council of Ministers decided to give the European Com-

Last week, Japan and the EU opened negotiations on amission the ‘green light’ to start negotiations to conclude

comprehensive EPA and Global Partnership Agreement.

a Free Trade Agreement with Japan. This is a crucial

These agreements will act as the pillars on which ourstep in our bilateral relations. It is also a crucial step inrelationship can continue to build. By deepening our re-our relations in science, technology - and, particularly, inlationship and focusing on innovation in all fields, we willinnovation. STI-related issues will feature prominently inensure sustainable growth into the future.

these discussions, and on the agenda of the forthcoming
EU-Japan Summit.

We have a lot of room to work together in and thissymposium will bring forward new opportunities for col-This is also a very appropriate meeting.

laboration in Green and Life Innovation. My wish is for
all Japan, all the EU, all academic, researchers andThe two challenges addressed today “Green Innova-innovators of Japan and the EU to come together withtion” and “Life Innovation” are two core areas of thenew wisdom, so that we can reach higher. From this per-“4th Japanese Basic Plan for Science and Technology”,

spective, I am looking forward to the discussion of thispublished last year. They are also the “grand societalconference.

challenges” identified in Horizon 2020. Two “grand challenges” which Europe and Japan have to face in common. Two challenges which will require full cooperation

Thank you.

between Europe and Japan if we are to address themsuccessfully.

Mr. Isi Saragossi

Director responsible for International Cooperation ofDG RTD, European Commission

I would like to congratulate Kobe University for conven-Ambassador Shiojiri, President

As you know [and as was just mentioned by Ambas-

Fukuda, Distinguished Guests,

sador Shiojiri/President Fukuda] Kobe University is theLadies & Gentlemen,

first (and so far the only) Japanese University to have aning this event, and for the key role it plays in promoting
EU-Japan science and technology cooperation.

overseas office in Brussels, the Kobe University BrusIt is an honour and a great pleas-sels European Centre which covers the whole of Eu-

ure for me to open this Sympo-rope.

sium, on behalf of Commissioner
Geoghegan-Quinn. I would like toThe opening in March last year, just days before the ter-extend a warm welcome to our distinguished Speakers

rible tragedy which struck Japan, was impressive. Youand to our Participants, all of whom are actively com-will remember that EU Council President Herman vonRompuy, who visited Kobe University the year befor4

personally opened the new Centre, and gave an inspir-

But we can, and should do more.

ing speech. Let me repeat some of his words “With thisopening Kobe University is creating a new hub for our

There is room for enhancing considerably the scoperelationship. A new and strong knot combining all theand impact of our cooperation – and to bring it to a level

threads that link our two societies”.

commensurate with our respective roles in the global
economy, and in the field of science and innovation.

Kobe University’s Centre in Europe plays a key, andvery original role, in EU-Japan research cooperation.

We face the same societal challenges. We share many

Not only by organising policy and brokerage events likevalues, including regarding the conduct of science. Wethis Symposium today. But also by designing, together

also are working to establish stronger economic rela-with leading European Universities, very focused andtions.

personalised research projects for its best post graduates.

We should make optimal use of all relevant programmes
and instruments on both sides to enhance and focus ourI would like also to stress the role which Kobe University

cooperation, based on the principles of common interest,

plays as a valued partner for European research in Ja-

mutual benefit, and reciprocity. And the new FP Horizon

pan itself. Kobe University belongs to the “EU Institutes

2020, with its increased emphasis on international coop-in Japan”, which plays a very active role in disseminat-eration, will provide excellent opportunities to reinforce

ing information on European research to Japanese uni-

our cooperation - and to turn our present partnership inversities and research organisations, as well as in setinga true “strategic partnership”.

up joint project between EU and Japanese universities
and research centres.

We were very pleased and encouraged during recent
meetings we held in Japan with various Ministries (MEXT,It is also a key partner of our Delegation in Tokyo, regu-

METI, Cabinet Office) and research organisations, to ob-larly contributing to its conferences and workshops,

serve a renewed interest for Europe, and a clear will tosuch as the recent workshop on standardisation, andcooperate more and better in research and innovation.

the highly successful EU-Japan conference in Octoberon Active and Healthy Ageing. And I am happy to salute

This conference will contribute to reinforcing our dia-here today several of the speakers who took part in bothlogue, and should help identify concrete and ambitious

these events, in particular Professor Luo Zhiwei.

projects for future cooperation. We hope Kobe’s example will inspire other Japanese organisations and help

We welcome such commitments to Europe and Euro-

convey the message that in Research and Innovation,pean research.

Europe is “Open for Business”!

Japan and Europe should develop a strong strategic

Domo Arigato Gozaimas! Thank you.

partnership in research and innovation.
The EU-Japan S&T Agreement which was ratified lastyear provides a solid foundation for our cooperation.
Currently, Japanese research organisations participate
in 56 research projects in FP7. A number of coordinated calls have been successfully launched, in key
areas such as ICT, energy, materials, and aeronautics
research. Key priority areas for reinforced cooperation
have been identified by both sides, at the last Joint S&T
Committee meeting including active and healthy ageing(a key topic of today’s conference), low carbon technologies and critical new materials.

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